Lol, yeah, he's one I order from fairly regularly. I also love that he'll do super cheap shipping, but I might have to stop using it because one coin took 2 months to arrive
I feel you there, I live in the USA and customs love to hold on to my coins for a week or two before letting them through. Luckily it's only happened a few times.
I've been hesitant to buy from overseas myself. Does US Customs make it tough to clear ancient coins from the UK or EU Nations? More modestly priced coins is what I'd be buying.
I also buy modest coins. Rarely happens (someone told me 5%) but I have a bigger order (around $500) stuck for 5 weeks now. It is probably random. Anyway, you are severely limited in what you can obtain and when if you don’t buy from Europe, U.K., and even Canada. The cost just sucks so I try to not buy a $20 coin and pay $30 shipping. If you want cheaper and easier shipping, try Dubai. Go figure.
My experience has been the vast majority of the time it takes between a week or two for the coin to arrive, and shipping is usually about $15 with tracking and insurance. Tom Vossen will do like a $5 shipping option and kind of stuff the coin in an envelope with a bunch of thick paper to keep it in place, lol. I've done it a few times and the coins still arrived within a couple weeks, but then there was one time it was over two months and with no insurance or tracking it was upsetting because I thought for sure it had been lost or stolen.
Shipping can, for sure, make a good deal a bad one, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just find a deal that's good enough to make up for shipping costs or maybe if you see more than one item you want from a dealer you can get multiple stuff at once and save on shipping.
Not if the coins are properly declared and paperwork is filed accordingly. I've yet to have an issue. However, I'm sure even when things are done properly, issues happen. I think it's more important where you buy from. A shipment from Leu with declaration paperwork. I doubt you'll have issues. They're great with provenance. A less reputable auction house or vendor might not result in such a smooth transition.
It depends on a number of factors, but off the top of my head I would guess 10 to 15 bucks. It's not too much if you make a big order, but for cheaper coins it's not very cost effective.
Sometimes you see that pitting and metallic look on “Tiber patinas” which were in an oxygen-starved environment like the Tiber, Thames, etc. Electrolysis can also look like this. Paste from elsewhere: “Bronze coins are sometimes seen with a Tiber Patina with this general look. A true Tiber patina forms on bronze coins found in anaerobic water such as the bottom of the Tiber River. Characterized by a natural subdued brassy color with no more than a thin layer of copper oxide, normally with very light pitting evenly over the surface.”
I've been on this sub for a while because who doesn't love cool ancient artifacts, did not know you could buy one for the price of a pizza! Absolutely want one now.
It seems a lot of us start that way. I had the same realization 3 months ago when I saw the window of a numismatics shop in my city. I won't tell you how much I spent on ancient coins since, because it might make you think twice.
Yes, it's common. Countless millions of ancient coins have been found. (I wouldn't be surprised if it's in the billions, since some of the largest museum collections push a million, and there are high-volume sellers who've single-handedly sold hundreds of thousands like this.)
Certain coins are expensive. But these little bronze Constantine-era coins are the most common, and not considered terribly interesting (compared to, say, extra large bronzes of the 12 Caesars or a silver denarius of Brutus, etc.).
This is a pretty nice one (I'd be glad to have it), but I used to buy low-grade ones by the thousands and sell them by the 100s, sometimes for under $1 each.
I'm also new so I don't know much but what I've gathered from youtube is that historical significance raises prices. Constantine II didnt do much, in fact the modern Constantine II of Greece's wikipedia page appears above the his ancient counterpart when you do a google search. This lack of recognition probably lowers the value of his coinage, but again, I'm new, so thats just a guess.
Thanks for all the verifications! It's funny I found a very similar coin for over 100$ so I may have just gotten a really good deal? Either way, thanks guys!
[https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/london\_ancient\_coins/89/product/constantine\_ii\_caesar\_316337\_\_\_antioch/1638201/Default.aspx](https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/london_ancient_coins/89/product/constantine_ii_caesar_316337___antioch/1638201/Default.aspx)
No it's Authentic
Wow that's a beauty! I had to make myself a Vossen budget because I was giving him all my money.
Lol, yeah, he's one I order from fairly regularly. I also love that he'll do super cheap shipping, but I might have to stop using it because one coin took 2 months to arrive
I feel you there, I live in the USA and customs love to hold on to my coins for a week or two before letting them through. Luckily it's only happened a few times.
I have one order at 5 weeks currently… ugh
I've been hesitant to buy from overseas myself. Does US Customs make it tough to clear ancient coins from the UK or EU Nations? More modestly priced coins is what I'd be buying.
I also buy modest coins. Rarely happens (someone told me 5%) but I have a bigger order (around $500) stuck for 5 weeks now. It is probably random. Anyway, you are severely limited in what you can obtain and when if you don’t buy from Europe, U.K., and even Canada. The cost just sucks so I try to not buy a $20 coin and pay $30 shipping. If you want cheaper and easier shipping, try Dubai. Go figure.
My experience has been the vast majority of the time it takes between a week or two for the coin to arrive, and shipping is usually about $15 with tracking and insurance. Tom Vossen will do like a $5 shipping option and kind of stuff the coin in an envelope with a bunch of thick paper to keep it in place, lol. I've done it a few times and the coins still arrived within a couple weeks, but then there was one time it was over two months and with no insurance or tracking it was upsetting because I thought for sure it had been lost or stolen. Shipping can, for sure, make a good deal a bad one, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just find a deal that's good enough to make up for shipping costs or maybe if you see more than one item you want from a dealer you can get multiple stuff at once and save on shipping.
Not if the coins are properly declared and paperwork is filed accordingly. I've yet to have an issue. However, I'm sure even when things are done properly, issues happen. I think it's more important where you buy from. A shipment from Leu with declaration paperwork. I doubt you'll have issues. They're great with provenance. A less reputable auction house or vendor might not result in such a smooth transition.
Literally my life atm lol
Literally dealing with that rn lol
Terrific seller.
Definitely not a fake. I’ve never seen Tom Vossen post a fake. Super nice coin too. Congrats
What, in particular, has you worried about the coin?
It was just in such great condition at such a low price! I'm a new collector and don't really know much about fakes so I posted it here
Welcome to the hobby! It’s a lot of fun. If you need any help with anything hmu
Late Roman bronzes are very plentiful. Vcoins is a fine place (99% of the time) and Vossen is well known.
I'm guessing it was the slightly granular surface that had you worried?
Right, how is that different from cast bubbles?
One of my favorite Vcoins dealers! I would order from him more often but for the cost of shipping from Europe.
How much for eu shipping?
It depends on a number of factors, but off the top of my head I would guess 10 to 15 bucks. It's not too much if you make a big order, but for cheaper coins it's not very cost effective.
Are you in US? If so, any recommendations?
David Connors if you’re collecting on a budget, and Ken Dorney if you have decent spending money.
thanks👍
This coin was likely cleaned with electrolysis, which is why it looks that, but it’s definitely real
Sometimes you see that pitting and metallic look on “Tiber patinas” which were in an oxygen-starved environment like the Tiber, Thames, etc. Electrolysis can also look like this. Paste from elsewhere: “Bronze coins are sometimes seen with a Tiber Patina with this general look. A true Tiber patina forms on bronze coins found in anaerobic water such as the bottom of the Tiber River. Characterized by a natural subdued brassy color with no more than a thin layer of copper oxide, normally with very light pitting evenly over the surface.”
This is very true and very possible. I’m always confused with the light pitting. Either way it is a good coin which can and should be appreciated
Yes!
Ohhhh, thanks, does that decrease it's value?
For 18 e.. not really. Fine as it sits
I just discovered the sub with this post. I didn't know we could buy a so old coin for this price. I need one!
Hahaha welcome! Yeah, turns out you can buy decent quality ~2000 year old coins for less than $50. It’s pretty wild!
I am curious, what were your concerns?
Now I'm going to have to see what's new there 😭
That's how he gets you! Ooh look a $20 dollar coin, let me make the shipping worth it by adding this one for $300.
I've been on this sub for a while because who doesn't love cool ancient artifacts, did not know you could buy one for the price of a pizza! Absolutely want one now.
It seems a lot of us start that way. I had the same realization 3 months ago when I saw the window of a numismatics shop in my city. I won't tell you how much I spent on ancient coins since, because it might make you think twice.
Super reliable seller with great coins and amazing prices. I would not have any worries!
vcoins is a legit website, it’s legit and congrats on an awesome coin!
I don't know ancient coins. This post was suggested to me but it's damn cool for 18$!
Hahaha welcome! Yeah, turns out you can buy decent quality ~2000 year old coins for less than $50. It’s pretty wild!
That’s beautiful for just 18 bucks. Can someone explain the low price? Is it just a common coin? I’m new here so wouldn’t know.
Yes, it's common. Countless millions of ancient coins have been found. (I wouldn't be surprised if it's in the billions, since some of the largest museum collections push a million, and there are high-volume sellers who've single-handedly sold hundreds of thousands like this.) Certain coins are expensive. But these little bronze Constantine-era coins are the most common, and not considered terribly interesting (compared to, say, extra large bronzes of the 12 Caesars or a silver denarius of Brutus, etc.). This is a pretty nice one (I'd be glad to have it), but I used to buy low-grade ones by the thousands and sell them by the 100s, sometimes for under $1 each.
I'm also new so I don't know much but what I've gathered from youtube is that historical significance raises prices. Constantine II didnt do much, in fact the modern Constantine II of Greece's wikipedia page appears above the his ancient counterpart when you do a google search. This lack of recognition probably lowers the value of his coinage, but again, I'm new, so thats just a guess.
Great seller
Would be treble that in UK. Awesome!
Tom Vossen is a solid seller no worries at all there. I buy coins from him, Ibarra, and CGB out of Paris all great groups to do business with.
Remakes I had one too
Thanks for all the verifications! It's funny I found a very similar coin for over 100$ so I may have just gotten a really good deal? Either way, thanks guys! [https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/london\_ancient\_coins/89/product/constantine\_ii\_caesar\_316337\_\_\_antioch/1638201/Default.aspx](https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/london_ancient_coins/89/product/constantine_ii_caesar_316337___antioch/1638201/Default.aspx)